Frozen coolant

[spirol]

Hi, it went 20-30 below zero today and my coolant was frozen. Is it safe to start it? I just bought some coolant to replace it. Do I really damage my engine if I start the car with the coolant still frozen. Im thinking using a hair dryer to melt it.

 

[kyledykstra]

If anything is going to break it would've already when it froze. Your car will probably overheat if you don't melt the coolant first, since the radiator won't have any circulation.

<-- 1:1 year round, just in case

 

[spirol]

When I went back to work, it was -22. The check coolant light went on and after the car warms up to operating temp (temp gauge at the middle) it went away. Went on a highway and didnt overheat. so I guess my engine is fine?

 

[kicker91laser]

If it didnt overheat , it should be ok. I'd be worried about it freezing and cracking the block.

 

[asexton6969]

You need to think about getting coolant that can withstand a lower temperature.

 

[psychlow]

You need to think about getting coolant that can withstand a lower temperature.

I agree.

I'm surprised that nothing happened. Keep an eye out for coolant and/or oil leaks for awhile. Frozen coolant usually pops out plugs and seals, which can cause all of your oil/coolant to leave your car quickly and without notice.

 

[timm98gst]

or invest in an engine block heater

 

[90TSIAWDTALON]

"I'm surprised that nothing happened. Keep an eye out for coolant and/or oil leaks for awhile. Frozen coolant usually pops out plugs and seals, which can cause all of your oil/coolant to leave your car quickly and without notice."
Yeh, freeze plugs in ur block are spose to pop out b4 the block cracks. Ur exactly right, Go U!!

 

[Defiant]

Yeh, freeze plugs in ur block are spose to pop out b4 the block cracks. Ur exactly right, Go U!!

Let's hope you were kidding. What some call "freeze plugs" are CORE PLUGS. They're called that because when the foundry is molding the blocks, these holes are how the inner molding sand shapes are stabilized to form the cooling passages as the molten iron is poured into the molds. They have nothing to do with freezing, because as water turns to ice, it doesn't care about resistance in a given area. It ain't moving. It's going to freeze (and, expand) where ever it happens to be at the time. True that a plug can be forced out (or, at least be pushed enough to lose its seal and leak) at a given core stablization aperture, but it's only coincidental. It's not a part of any design.

The British call them Welch plugs. I don't know why.

Keep an eye on any engine that's frozen its coolant. Be particularly wary of any new leaks.